Collapsible crate



June 14,1932. w, GARRETT COLLAPSIBLE CRATE Filed March 9, 1931 A TTORNE YS.

w M H M DWI fi? W10} INVENTOR.

BY ,0: Q

Patented June 14, 1932 STATES WILLIAM L. GARRETT, F LOS ANGELES,

CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0 W. F. GARRETT, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA GOLLAIPSIBLE CRATE Application fi1ed March 9,

This invention is for a collapsible crate and has special reference to a crate which is especially adapted to the shipment of standard articles of manufacture such as book cases, sewing machines, phonographs and similar articles, and has for its main object the provision of a crate which is readily assembled and which will fold up into a compact space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a crate which when set up is rigid and substantial in structure and which, due to the compact space into which it can be folded may be transported to the point of origin for reuse with a minimum transportation cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crate as outlined with removable partitions whereby additional bracing is secured and parts may be segregated within the crate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description is read on the drawing forming a part of this specification.

The invention consists primarily of a crate formed with a back to which is hingedly con nected two ends and a top and bottom which when extended cooperate with the front which is secured by means of latches.

The invention is adequately illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which similar reference characters are used to indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in folded position;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View showing one end folded in, the top folded down, and bottom open;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of one of the latches; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hinge as used on the ends.

The back and front each consist of vertical corner members 10 to which are fixedly secured vertical longitudinal members 11 and horizontal longitudinal members 12, a centrally disposed vertical member 18, and two pair of spaced verticals let, the corners being reenforced by sheet metal corners 15 and 16.

1931. Serial No. 521,060.

Retaining blocks 17 are secured to members 11 on the'inside of the front adjacent the four corners for cooperation with the transverseend members.

The top and bottom each consist of two longitudinal members 18 and a plurality of transverse members 19 which are hinged to the sheet'metal corners 16 as indicated at 20, an ear being formed on the corners 16 as indicated at 21, the ear being offset inwardly to permit the top and bottom to fold within the members 10.

The ends consist of verticals 22 and transverse inembers 28, the ends 24 of which project beyond the member 22 and within the front frame, between end members 10 and blocks '17 whichprevents collapse when the front is secured. The ends are hingedly connected to bottom and top members 12 by means of a strap 25 which is secured to the transverse top and bottom members 23, being pivoted through the aperture 26, the cars 27 of the strap being offset sufliciently to permit the, ends to close directly against the verticals 14.

Hinge pivot 20 is so located as to permi;l the top and bottom to fold against the en s.

The front is secured by means of latches at the four corners which consist of a latch 28 pivoted at 29 to a bracket 30 which is secured to the verticals 10, the bracket 30 having a shoulder formed at 31 to limit the movement of latch 28. A spring 32 urges the latch 28 into cooperative position which cooperates with a pin 33 fixed to end verticals 22. The partitions consist of a board 34 to which is slidably secured by straps 35 a bolt'36 provided with an elongated head 37, the opposite end being provided with a washer and nut, the spacing between verticals 14 permitting insertion of and location of the partition at any desired point'vertically,

In folding the crate, it is merely necessary to release the corner latches 28 and remove the front, fold both ends in, drop the top down, raise the bottom and place the front against the back and engage latches 28 with pins which aresecured on the rear verticals 10, when the crate has the appearance as shown in Fig. 2.

Having described an operative method of constructing and operating the invention, it will be understood that variations in construction and arrangement which are consistent with the appended claims may be resorted to without detracting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim z 1. A collapsible crate comprising a back, two ends hingedly connected to said back and adapted to fold within said back, a top 'and a bottom hingedly connected to said back and adapted to fold against said ends in folded position, and a front provided with a plurality of latches adapted to cooperate with pins on said ends in open position and with pins on said back in folded position.

2. A collapsible crate consisting of aback, two ends, a top and bottom hingedly connected to said back and foldable therein and a front adapted to be secured to said ends in open position and to said back in folded posit-ion.

3. A collapsible crate, comprising a back, two ends and a top and bottom hingedly connected to said back and foldable therein, a front adapted to be secured to said ends in open position and to said back in folded position by means of latches cooperating with pins, a latch disposed adjacent each corner of said front and cooperating pins on the ends and back.

4. A collapsible crate, comprising a back, ends hinged thereto and foldable inwardly, top and bottom hinged thereto and foldable against said ends, a front secured by latches to said ends in open position and to said back in folded position, said ends being interposed between the top and bottom in open position, and a plurality of adjustable transverse partition boards removably secured to intermediate vertical members on the back and front of said crate.

5. A collapsible crate comprising a. back and a front of frame like structure provided with corner irons, said back having hingedly connected thereto, two ends, a top and a bottom, said front having secured thereto a plurality of latches, and pins on said ends and said back in cooperative relation to said latches.

6. A collapsible crate comprising a back and a front, and two ends, top and bottom foldable within said back and front, and latch means for securing said back to said front, and cooperating means on said ends adapted to cooperate with said latch means when said crate is in open position.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

WVILLIAM L. GARRETT. 

